BHSU students learn the ropes from professionals during Denver shadow day

Several BHSU mass communication students recently attended a job shadow day in Denver. BHSU PR Club members, Jenna Carda, corporate communications major from Miles City, Mont.; Jordan Dolph, mass communications major from Parker, Colo.; Samara Williamson, mass communications major from Lead; Gerald Black, general studies major from Spearfish; and advisor Mary Caton-Rosser, associate professor of mass communications.

Black Hills State University mass communications students gained on-the-job training from professionals in the field during a recent job shadow day in Denver.

The event was sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America, the nation’s largest community of public relations and communications professionals. Five students from the University’s PR Club attended the shadow day.

“The Shadow Day was a great opportunity to learn more about public relations and what PR professionals do. It also was a good way to build relationships with professionals in the field,” said Jenna Carda, corporate communications major from Miles City, Mont. and secretary for the PR club.

The PRSA is the nation’s largest community of public relations and communications professionals.

Students were placed in public relations firms in Denver to “shadow” professionals in the field and gain knowledge and experience of the job. Each department discussed their role with the firm as well as their day-to-day responsibilities. It gave students the opportunity to network and meet new people.

Jordan Dolph, mass communications major from Parker, Colo., and president of the PR Club said, “It was a great real world experience. It really gave me insight into what area of public relations I want to work.”

Dolph has already had an interview for a summer internship because of the connections he made during the shadow day.

Alyssa Shoemake, corporate communications major from Spearfish, spent the day at a PR company called Linhart. Shadowing allowed her to understand more about a career in public relations and how it runs on a day-to-day basis.

“Through my Shadow Day experience, the Linhart PR team emphasized the importance of multitasking and staying flexible. They also provided helpful hints and advice on how to start building a foundation for a future in PR,” said Shoemake.

Other students who attended the PRSA Shadow Day include: Gerald Black, general studies major from Spearfish; and Samara Williamson, mass communications major from Lead.

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